UConn Football: Predicted To Finish Fourth Adds Fuel to the Fire

Big East Media Day was Tuesday in Newport, Rhode Island.  While there, the predicted final standings of the 2010 Big East conference were voted on by all media pundits. 

Although UConn ended up with its highest ranking ever, there's still a lot to prove.

The Huskies are predicted to finish fourth behind...you guessed it: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and West Virginia.

Don't forget the Huskies get all three of the conference favorites at home with two of them being featured night games, and one late in November.  It sure sets up an ideal scenario for this UConn football team.

As this team is set to open practice next week, there is a lot of motivation to succeed for this college football program.  Randy Edsall made note that these preseason predictions really have no impact on what happens on the field.

Once the first game kicks off, it is a whole new season.  Sure the Huskies finished strong last season, but that has no meaning for the new season.  It's leaders such as Zach Frazer and Scott Lutrus who have to use their experience and skills to set the tone for 2010.

I for one believe if UConn went 8-4 this year it would be a huge letdown.  When you return eight starters on both sides of the ball there's no reason you can't be playing for a conference championship right up until the last week of the season.

I realize how difficult it is for any team to win 10 games during the college football season, but I don't think it is out of the question for this program to have a breakout season where UConn football is put on the national map.

The more exposure and media coverage this team receives, the more people are going to see not only what UConn is doing, but how it has turned into a contender in the Big East Conference.

They took advantage of the chance to play in South Bend at Notre Dame.  An amazing double overtime win that Randy Edsall called the best of his career.

UConn gets another chance to duplicate the same success and feeling of accomplishment when it goes into the Big House on September 4th.  A nationally televised game to start the season at Michigan is a great opportunity for UConn.

If the Huskies go in there and beat Rich Rodriguez's Wolverines it will once again prove their goal is to go to a BCS Bowl in January.

The mentality of this team has always been to take each and every game one week and one day at a time.  If you get caught looking ahead then anyone can pull the upset that is damaging to accomplish what is at stake.

It's not about being ranked, or being predicted to win the conference, because in August that has no meaning on the season.  It's all about being ranked and winning the conference on that first weekend in December.

UConn realizes this, but knows it can only look at what is directly in front of them.  Last season the Huskies were so close to pulling out games at the end, but caved in.

There still has to be that dedication and commitment for a full 60 minutes.  The fourth quarter meltdowns can't happen this season or it is going to be another mediocre year.

Teams that get over the hump know how to win games when it matters most in the fourth quarter.  They find ways to win; at the end of the game they are leading on the scoreboard.

UConn has the players in place that have the potential to do exactly that.  It all comes down to execution and doing whatever it takes to win.

The Huskies open up the season at Michigan four weeks from Saturday.  College football fever is in full-swing.